A. Best and worst American civilization---1870 to 1900 Major events Industrial expansion, inventors and inventions Settlement of the West Railroad = symbol.

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Presentation on theme: "A. Best and worst American civilization---1870 to 1900 Major events Industrial expansion, inventors and inventions Settlement of the West Railroad = symbol."— Presentation transcript:

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A. Best and worst American civilization to 1900 Major events Industrial expansion, inventors and inventions Settlement of the West Railroad = symbol of grow = distribution system Rise of a labor unions Rise of immigration Rise of urbanization Political parties took no clear cut stand on issues Captains of industry were the political leaders laissez-faire systemcapitalism..protect a laissez-faire system and capitalism.. B. Examples of Corruption

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3. James A. Garfied Republican Assassinated by an upset spoilsman--Charles Guiteau 4. Chester A. Arthur to Republicans Pendleton Civil Service Act--reformed the spoils system 5. Grover Cleveland to 1889 and 1893 to 1897 Only Democrat---Serves two terms but not consecutive Conflicts between business and labor. Formation of Labor Unions Haymarket Riot Pullman Strike Interstate Commerce Act Tariff of Benjamin Harrison to Republican Four major laws were signed during his presidency: Sherman Anti-Trust Act Sherman Silver Purchase Act McKinley Tariff Act Dependent Pension Act

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Two Different Worlds 1 extravagant lifestyles  The wealthy lived extravagant lifestyles and considered themselves elitists. caste system  The common people resented their snobbish attitudes and wealth. There was a caste system in the U.S.  millionaires ,800  1900, 90% of wealth, controlled by 10% of population.

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Political Machine Organized group that controls a city’s political party Give services to voters, businesses for political, financial support After Civil War, machines gain control of major cities Machine organization: precinct captains, ward bosses, city boss The Emergence of Political Machines

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The Role of the Political Boss May serve as mayor he: controls city jobs, business licenses influences courts, municipal agencies arranges building projects, community services Bosses paid by businesses, get voters’ loyalty, extend influence Immigrants and the Machine Many captains, bosses 1 st or 2 nd generation Americans Machines help immigrants with naturalization, jobs, housing Election Fraud and Graft Machines use electoral fraud to win elections GraftGraft—illegal use of political influence for personal gain Machines take kickbacks, bribes to allow legal, illegal activities

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Corrupt political leader put New York City in debt Political boss Political boss 1851 elected to city council 1852 served in Congress Kept Democratic Party in power in NYC called Tammany Hall Formed the Tweed Ring Bought votes, encouraged corruption, controlled NYC politics

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kickbacks  Received large fees for interests (*kickbacks) from the Erie Railroad  Tweed Ring milked the city with false leases, padded bills, false vouchers, unnecessary repairs and over-priced goods *Return of a portion of the money received in a sale or contract often illegal and corrupt in return for special favors.

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 Exposed for his corruption by cartoonist and editor, Thomas Nast  Tweed Ring fell and 1873 Tweed convicted of embezzlement  Later Tweed was arrested on a civil charge and jailed in NYC, later died there

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Credit Mobilier Phony construction company owned by stockholders of Union Pacific Railroad. Hired Credit Mobilier to build the transcontinental railroad Charged the U.S. government nearly twice the actual cost of the project. Bribed Congress to stop the investigation. Largest scandal in U.S. history, and led to greater public awareness of government corruption.

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Whiskey Ring A group of President Grant’s officials imported whiskey Used their offices to avoid paying taxes Cheated US treasury of millions. Salary Grab Congress gave itself a raise, $5,000 to $7,500 annually. Congressmen received a retroactive check for $5,000, plus their raise…… Became a political issue….Later repealed.

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Assassinated by an upset Spoilsman. Led to VP Chester Arthur becoming president Supported a change to the corrupt spoils system. Pendleton Actthe Civil Service ActSigned into the law the Pendleton Act also called the Civil Service Act. Required candidates applying for government positions to a test to determine their qualifications.

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patronage  Under the Spoils System (patronage), candidates for political office would offer potential jobs in exchange for votes. –gave supporters access to money and political favors.  During the Gilded Age, the Republicans and Democrats had roughly the same number of supporters. –To keep party members loyal, candidates rewarded supporters and tried to avoid controversial issues. The Republicans  appealed to the industrialists, bankers, and eastern farmers. sound money  They favored the gold standard (sound money) and high tariffs  Blue laws, regulations that prohibited certain activities people considered immoral. The Democrats  attracted the less privileged groups.  such as northern urban immigrants, laborers, southern planters, and western farmers.  Supported soft money and silver coinage.

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President Rutherford Hayes  Elected in 1877  Reformed the civil service, appointing qualified political independents instead of giving positions to supporters.  No Congressional support or from the Republican Party.  Hayes did not seek a second term. President James A. Garfield  1880 election, Republicans were split into 3 factions. Stalwarts defended the spoils system—Senator Roscoe Conkling Half-Breeds reform but still supported it– Senator James Blaine Independents opposed the spoils system.  Garfield wanted reforms. His running-mate was Chester Arthur, a Stalwart.  July 2, 1881 Garfield was assassinated by a Stalwart who wanted Arthur as president.

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1881: Garfield Assassinated! Charles Guiteau: I Am a Stalwart, and Arthur is President now!

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An economic belief supported by the U.S. that opposes the government regulating business. laissez-faire  In the late 1800’s businesses operated without much government regulation. This is known as laissez-faire economics.  Laissez-faire means ‘allow to be’ in French or the government stays out of you business. capitalism  Laissez faire supports our economic system of capitalism

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Economic system characterized by private property ownership Profit  Individuals and companies compete for their own economic gain (Profit)  Capitalists determine the prices of goods and services.  Production and distribution are privately or corporately owned.  Reinvestment of profits  Supports laissez faire

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Economic system based on cooperation rather than competition government ownership  Believes in government ownership of business and capital  Government controls production and distribution of goods. laissez faire capitalism  Opposite of laissez faire and capitalism